~So after some thinking, & a very helpful reviewer, I decided that maybe there was more to tell with this story. There'll be at least one more chapter to this.... I think. As usual I don't own anyone affilated with WWE or TNA. I don't even own the song this is based on. PLEASE review this & let me know what you think, the pairng is a little different & I want to know if you guys like it, & if I should even continue with this story. So let me know what's up. Thanks =)~
Alex narrowed his eyes at the other wrestler trying to mask his feeling of falling through the floor. He steeled himself against the weight of the fear pulling him downward. He grasped at those vows made in the sanctuary of blankets to never change. The younger boy had sworn that he would always be his, but the look in John Hennigan's eyes seemed to dispute that promise.
Gritting his teeth Alex managed to answer him. "He'll always be Matt."
"That's in the past now," John shook his head. "You don't even know him anymore."
"And you do?"
John's smirk filled his face too fast to be anything but genuine. His deep brown eyes flashed telling Alex more than he ever wanted to know. His stomach lurched as he was yanked further downward. He squeezed his eyes shut, but still saw the other man's confident smile. John looked to take advantage of Alex's weakened condition, he swung at him again.
"You stopped being there for him a while ago, what did you expect him to do?"
Alex flinched, teeth digging into his bottom lip. "Stop it. He knows I was only a phone call away. He knows he could have come to me with anything."
"What were gonna do for him half way across the world in Japan?"
"He left me first," Alex suddenly shouted, "…when he went to Mexico."
John settled back triumphantly as Alex had to pant for his breath. The Detroit native felt his knees buckle a little more, but he refused to fall to the former tag team wrestler.
"You'll never be able to know him like I do," he shot back. "He cried himself to sleep in my arms the night his grandmother died. I was with him when he signed his ROH contract. He didn't leave my side once in 6 months when I shattered my jaw. I was the last thing he saw when he had to have surgery on his ankle, and I was the first thing he saw when he woke up in recovery. Where were you for all those?"
It was John's turn falter at Alex's blow. He ran his hand through his hair unsurely while his shoulders slumped.
"Matt is the real Evan. At the end of the day when all of the pretense is gone and he climbs into bed at night and calls me before he goes to sleep, that's the real him, that's my Matt."
John wasn't as good as Alex at concealing his pain; his eyes dulled a little and he shrank back toward the bench. Alex swelled a bit at his dominance, stepping up at John's shift back; daring him to take another shot. John looked at him defiantly and seemed to be ready to make a comeback, but the door swung open and the young brunette ambled in freshly showered and dressed in a pair of jeans and a green collard t-shirt.
"You guys find something to talk about?" He asked casually while he dug his cologne out of his bag.
"Yeah," Alex replied tersely, he was still glaring obscenely at the California native across the room.
"Awesome," Matt smiled.
"So I'm gonna go find Phil and gather the troops. We'll meet you in the parking lot in like 10," John informed.
"Okay Johnny."
Before he left, the self proclaimed 'shaman of sexy' looked the younger boy up and down. "You look good Ev," he smiled.
Alex bristled, especially when he caught the faint blush staining those cherub cheeks. John tossed a smirk in Alex's direction then took his leave.
Matt spritzed himself with the square glass bottle, a fresh scent wafted throughout the room. It reminded Alex of being on the shore and looking out at the ocean. It was his favorite cologne, a fact that was not lost on the younger St. Louis local. When Alex looked over at him he was wearing a cheeky smirk; that look combined with the smell still floating about the room displaced any negative thoughts the eldest boy may have had.
"Are you sure you're okay with going out with everyone else?" Matt asked slipping his arms around the other boy's waist.
Alex watched those soft brown eyes dance in the harsh fluorescent light for a second. Even in this unattractive glow those eyes were still shining up at the taller boy. A small smile found its way across Alex's face. He reached up and adjusted the collar on Matt's shirt. He popped it up, and then smoothed out the creases in his shoulders. Still moving languidly, his hands went to cup those baby soft cheeks.
"I'm fine with anything you want to do," he assured. "It's your night. I'm here for you."
Matt's innocent doe eyes fell shut and he nestled into the words. Leaning in, Alex caught the boy's mouth in a simple, easy kiss.
"Hey hey, none of that!" A familiar voice admonished.
They separated smiling dreamily at each other. Jay Reso hustled them along from the doorway and soon enough Alex found himself squished into the backseat of Matt Hardy's rented Camry. The youngest Hardy Boy had called shot gun leaving the backseat for the three acquired passengers. It was a tight fit, but having the young high flyer pressed so close while driving brought back a lot of fun memories. He rested his chin on Matt's shoulder and whispered into his ear.
"You remember locking Aries in the trunk at that gas station in Columbus?"
Matt chuckled, leaning back into Alex he replied, "Serves him right after what he did to Roderick."
Alex laughed out right that time. "He had to use eyebrow pencil to draw the left one on for a month."
Matt snorted his own laugh. "Ah, god Jack used to make fun of him so bad. He used to call him Rachel in promos."
"He did to; used to make us all have to fucking re-do it."
"Have you heard from any of those guys lately?"
Alex shook his head. "Nah, I don't get to back much anymore."
"Yeah but at least you can go back. I'm under strict contract not to even talk to anyone in the other companies."
"What about me?"
"Well you're an exception," he whispered rolling his head back and placing a quick kiss in the column of Alex's throat.
A bright flash from the left lit up the whole car and the reflection nearly blinded Alex.
"God damnit Reso!" He yelled when he noticed the red digital camera through all the spots in front of his eyes. "Keep it up and I'm gonna take back that AJ action figure."
The Canadian just snickered and handed the device up to Jeff. The 'charismatic enigma' smiled back at the pair still pressed together.
"You guys are cute together," he concluded. "Ya'll fit together ya know."
He seemed to be looking straight into the younger brunette as he spoke. Matt looked away from those intense green eyes quickly and sat up in his own seat. Alex let him go suddenly finding the night sky outside very interesting. He battled the urge to glance over at Matt, and wondered just who Evan had been fitting in with lately.
Jeff didn't seem bothered by the tension that had settled in the car like a thick fog. He just scanned through the saved pictures on his camera. He came to one he liked and passed it back to Jay. The blonde grinned and shook his head.
"This gonna make it into the show?" He asked.
"Don't know yet," Jeff shrugged, "he's such a dumbass."
"That the picture of Shan?" The oldest Hardy brother smiled knowingly.
"The one where he's dressed up as the Wolf Man, yeah. He didn't wanna wash that damn paint off to save his life. Matt and Shane held him down and I hosed him off," Jeff chortled.
"I seem to remember having to turn the hose back on you two once he was clean," Matt added.
Jeff simply smirked. "He's hot when he's all wet."
Matt rolled his eyes and heaved a sigh at his brother. Jason laughed completely used to the youngest Hardy's audacity by now. He settled back into the seat with a noise of his own, his thoughts drifting to another boy he knew of that was hot when he was doused in water.
"When do you get to see AJ again?" Jeff asked turning to face the backseat.
"Not for another two weeks. He's got a bunch of promotions for the pay-per-view at the end of the month."
Alex's ears perked at that. "Yeah, I gotta be back tomorrow night for a match to set up heat for the X-title."
"You've gotta be back tomorrow?" The boy responsible for this outing demanded.
"Yeah. I came to watch you but I can't stay Matty," he answered dejectedly.
"But you're only here for a night? I thought you'd stay for a couple days or something."
"I wish I could."
The younger boy bit down on his bottom lip, refusing to look at the Detroit resident. Alex never reconsidered picking his head back up and offering a bolstering smile, he always hated it when Matt got upset.
"Hey, I haven't left yet okay?"
"You're right," he tried to smile. Alex immediately pulled the smaller boy close again.
Matt backed his rental car into place right beside the Focus that Phil had opted for. The other boys looked to be more enthusiastic about their nightly venture. Greetings and pounds exchanged they all headed into the local dive. There was an okay crowd inside; even some more of the roster were hanging out. The champion was holding a pool cue, but waved at his earlier opponent when he saw the boy come in. Alex smiled at the look that came over his face at the recognition. He still reminded Alex of that eager little boy setting out to capture his wildest dreams.
"Congratulations Evan," a smooth accent stepped up beside him.
"Thanks Kofi. I've gotta say you were right, it does feel like I've reached another level here."
"Well we are on the flagship show now. Raw is a much bigger production than ECW," the supposed Jamaican replied.
"Yeah it's crazy backstage man."
"Well you've still got Johnny and me so no worries."
Matt's smile staggered and he glanced at Alex. The older boy's expression soured and he didn't try to cover it up. He disentangled his fingers from Matt's, beginning to scan the bottles waiting behind the bar tender.
Alex ordered a shot, as the bar back set up the glass Alex felt a familiar body slide up beside him.
"Make it two," Matt nodded at the vodka.
The bar tender looked at him for a moment, Alex snickered to himself wondering if this one would I.D. Matt. Most of them did, and the two usually placed bets on it when they went out together. Alex had won breakfast in bed for a year off one of those nights. Unfortunately, he had only gotten about three mornings of his winnings. Matt was in the middle of pulling his wallet out of his back pocket when a shot glass was placed in front of him.
Alex kept glancing back and forth between the glasses. Neither boy was a huge drinker, just a couple of beers here and there. The TNA wrestler grabbed his glass and threw back the shot, his WWE counterpart slamming his down a moment after. The younger boy grimaced at the burn sliding down his throat. He pushed his glass away, Alex mimicked him.
"This was a bad idea," Matt announced. "We shoulda gone back to the hotel."
"No, you wanted to come and hang out with the guys, so go hang out. I'm sure Hennigan's around here somewhere."
Alex felt the boy beside him tense for a second, and then he stepped back. Alex's head dropped in dreaded anticipation.
"I'm sure he is. And I'm sure Sabin's waiting on your call."
Matt pushed himself away from the bar and headed across the small space to the pool table. Alex heaved a hefty sigh. He motioned to the bar tender to refill his glass. He stared into the clear liquid fire as if it was a crystal ball showing scenes from the past. He watched the pictures unfold until they began to show him things he'd rather forget. He quickly downed his shot and ventured over to the growing crowd by the pool table. He kept on the fringe of the group just peeking between the bodies and over the heads of those around him, easily spotting Matt talking to John Hennigan on the other side of the table.
"Having a Boo Radley moment?" A soft drawl snuck up behind him.
He turned to find a pair of discerning green eyes. "Hey Jeff."
"I'd ask how things are, but I can see they've been better."
"Once upon a time ago."
The younger Hardy nodded and slid his hands into the pockets of his ripped jeans.
"You and Shan have been together since you were kids right?" Alex heard himself suddenly ask.
"Mm-hm."
"How'd you make young love last?" His brown eyes never moved away from the two boys leaning casually against the wall.
Jeff tucked the pieces of colorful hair that weren't contained in his messy bun back behind his ear; the plum had faded to lavender. "It didn't."
"But you still love each other after all these years."
"Young love had nothing to do with that, that's honest to God hard work." He corrected." Young love is sweet and all, but no one has ever survived on that alone. When the stars are in your eyes you can't really see the person you claim to love. Once they clear and all their faults are out in the open, out on display and you still need them to be able to breathe… that's love. Anyone can come along and blind ya with the stars, but real love helps you see things clear."
Alex seemed star struck by the younger Hardy. He looked at him with such esteem you'd think he was one of his biggest fans. Suddenly a thought clobbered him over the head.
"What if the stars are too bright?" He asked gazing back over to the 'guru of greatness'.
John was leaning in close to Matt, whispering something in his ear. Matt was chuckling softly as he nodded along. Alex felt his blood turn to ice in his veins. Even with the alcohol in his system a chill settled in the very marrow of his bones.
"There aren't any stars that burn brighter than the flame of true love," Jeff assured quietly as if the words were for the distressed Machine Gun alone. "John isn't a bad guy, he really likes Evan. You can't help who you fall in love with, and in all fairness you two weren't totally exclusive."
"It was just so hard. We were so far apart all the time…. But I never stopped-"
"Neither did he Alex. Believe me. The way he lights up around you… there isn't another living soul that gets that reaction. Not even John Hennigan."
The heavy anchor tightened around his neck again and wrenched his head down. "Maybe he should."
Jeff scoffed. "Don't be stupid Shelley. You and Evan are two halves of the same whole man. That shit doesn't come around every day. You let him go and you'll never get that back. Sure you might be able to be happy, but that passion; that fire that you feel ignite every time you see him, you'll never get that back again."
"How-"
"Just trust me," Jeff interrupted him once more. "Me and Shannon have loved each other since we were kids, but that doesn't mean we never lost sight of each other. Some stars can be awfully blinding."
Alex just couldn't see anything keeping Shannon Moore and Jeff Hardy apart. He was pretty sure that the Northern Lights could appear directly in front of them and he doubted either one would notice. He remembered a time when the only color he ever saw was the warm rich chocolate of Matt's eyes. He glanced across the table again and froze instantly. John had his arm wrapped around Matt's waist; the younger boy looked quite comfortable.
Matt's playful smirk quickly fell as soon as he met the dark russet scowl across the room. He bit his bottom lip in response to the ache he could read in that forlorn stare. He cast his own eyes down and disentangled himself from John. His voice was soft; shamed as he informed the older wrestler he had to leave. John threw a cursory glare in Alex's direction but knew there was nothing he could do; the smaller boy had made up his mind. John watched his trek across the room as he kept to the outside of the group and cringed when he immediately slipped his hand into Alex's.
"Can we go back now?" He whispered.
Jeff smiled softly over at Alex. The older brunette couldn't help the relief that flooded through him, and he looked to the youngest Hardy boy in a silent thank you. Finally he reached up cupping Matt's smooth cheek. He rubbed his thumb across the pout; Matt instantly caught the digit in a teasing kiss.
"Let's get outta here," Alex concluded.
He glanced at Jeff once more before heading outside with Matt. They stood on the curb waiting for a taxi to approach. There was a chill in the air, but thankfully no breeze. Alex wrapped his arms around Matt and pulled the boy's back against his chest. He rubbed his hands up and down the other boy's bare arms hoping to warm him.
"I'm sorry," Matt whispered resting his head back on the toned chest.
"Not here okay?" Alex replied.
Matt nodded. He closed his eyes and tried to lose himself in the rhythm of the older boy's heart beat, but it was too fast to lull him as it once did.
"C'mon," Alex nudged him toward one of the yellow cars.
Matt slid in first and told the driver the hotel's address. He slid back and placed his head on Alex's shoulder, keeping his eyes focused out the window on the passing night sky. Alex's fingertips were absently rubbing his hip. The halted apology still hung in the air, suffocating a comfort that used to be second nature. Alex monitored the opposite window concentrating on the stars burning brightly overhead.